Grooved supporting fork for



Aug. 27, 1935 R. B. LAWTON Re. 19,682

Z Z VI EWZI/F La M Reissued Aug. 27, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEGROOVED SUPPORTING FORK FOR GLOBES Robert B. Lawton, Chicago Heights,111., assignor to Weber Costello (30., Chicago Heights, 111., a

corporation of Illinois 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to a globe and more particularly to animproved supporting fork which is grooved for the reception of a movableglobe carrying meridian whereby the axis of the globe may be quickly andconveniently adjusted at desired angles by means of graduations providedon the sides of the grooved supporting fork.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved fork having agroove provided in the inner peripheral surface thereof for thereception of a rotatable globe carrying meridian.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved groovedsupporting fork for a globe carrying meridian, said fork having degreemarks provided thereon extending in opposite directions from a zero markto facilitate adjustment of the axis of the earth from zero up to 23 Itis an important object of this invention to provide an improved andsimplified grooved supporting fork having degree graduations on oppositesides thereof and also having means for coaction with a flanged globecarrying meridian to prevent the meridian from being disengaged from thefork when the meridian is rotatably adjusted with respect to the fork.

0ther and further important objects of this invention will be apparentfrom the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying draw- Theinvention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawing andhereinafter more fully described.

On the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a globe which is rotatably supported ina meridian which in turn is rotatable in a grooved and graduatedmeridian supporting fork embodying the principles of this invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line II-IIof Figure 1.

As shown on the drawing:

The reference numeral 1 indicates a pedestal or base having mountedthereon a supporting post or stand 2. Secured on the top of the post 2is a bracket or arm 3 having a threaded aperture therein through which aretaining screw 4 is adjust-ably engaged.

Rigidly secured upon the top of the post 2 is an arcuate or crescentshaped supporting fork 5 which is widest at its middle portion and whichgradually tapers toward both ends. The supporting fork 5 is constructedof cast metal or other suitable material and said fork is positionedagainst the inner side of the arm 3 and as clearly illustrated in Figure2 is provided with a groove 6 which is formed in the inner peripheralsurface of the fork and extends from one end of the fork to the other.Provided on each side of the fork 5 are a seri s of graduations ormarkings which extend in opposite directions from a zero degree mark upto 23 which indicates the inclination of the earths axis.

Seated in the fork groove 6 is a movable or rotatable meridian or ring Iprovided with an integral outer peripheral rim or flange 8 which isadapted to track in the fork groove 6. As clearly illustrated in Figure2, the screw 4 has the inner end thereof positioned to project inwardlyadjacent one side of the meridian l and to the inside of the meridianflange 8 permitting rotation of the meridian but on the other handserving as a means for preventing the meridian from falling out or beingremoved from the supporting fork. Both sides of the meridian l areprovided with degree graduations or markings.

Rotatably supported diametrically in the meridian 7 is an axis 9 onwhich a globe I0 is supported.

It will be noted that the improved globe unit is provided with asupporting fork having a continuous groove therein extending from oneend to the other for receiving the globe carrying meridian the rim orflange of which slidably seats in the fork groove 6 between the sideflanges of the fork which form the groove 6. With the opposite sides ofthe fork provided with degree graduations ranging from zero in oppositedirections to 23 a convenient arrangement is provided whereby the axisof the globe may be readily adjusted from a vertical position of zerodegree to varying inclinations from zero up to 23 on either side of thezero mark.

It will be clear that the fork 5 provides a trough having radially andinwardly extending opposed flanges or walls, and that as the meridianring is being entered to seat in the trough these walls provide guidemeans to simplify the task of vertically alining the edge of themeridian ring with the supporting seat.

It will of course be understood that various details of construction maybe varied through a wide range without departing from the principles ofthis invention. and it is therefore not purposed to limit the patentgranted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A globe device comprising a vertically positioned circular meridianring adapted to support a globe. a base for said device, channeledsupport means on said base providing an arcuate seat for slidablysupporting said ring and also providing guide means for said meridianring as it is being entered in said seat, said channeled support meanscomprising a fixed approximately semi-annular ring section having alongitudinally extending channel concentric with the outer periphery ofsaid ring section, and having opposed flanges along a major portion ofits length facing opposite faces of said meridian ring.

2. A globe device comprising a vertically posi tioned meridian ringhaving a peripheral flange, a base for said device, channeled supportmeans on said base providing an arcuate seat for slidably supportingsaid ring and also providing guide means for said meridian ring as it isbeing entered in said seat, said channeled support' means comprising afixed approximately semiannular ring section having a. longitudinallyextending channel concentric with the outer periphery of said ringsection to receive said flange, and having opposed flanges along a majorportion of its length facing opposite faces of said meridian ring.

3. A globe device comprising a vertically positioned circular meridianring, a globe mounted rotatably in said ring, a base, channeled supportmeans on said base providing an arcuate seat for slidably supportingsaid ring and also providing guide means for said meridian ring as it isbeing 10 entered in said seat, said channeled support means comprising afork defining an approximately semi-annular ring section having radiallyinwardly opposed flanges along a major portion of its length and facingopposite faces of said 15 meridian ring.

ROBERT B. LAWTON.

